اردو 
What happened in Syria?
Opposition forces have taken control of the capital after a significant offensive. Here is how it unravelled.
Efforts to halt the violence in Gaza have been reignited as both Israel and Hamas engage with mediators to discuss a long-standing ceasefire proposal.
According to an unnamed source in the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Netanyahu will convene a meeting of his security cabinet on Thursday to review Hamas's latest proposal.
On Wednesday, Hamas stated it has presented new "ideas" to Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators regarding ceasefire terms and a potential exchange of captives. Israel has acknowledged it is "assessing" Hamas's proposals, though specifics were not disclosed.
These developments unfold amidst Israeli airstrikes targeting southern Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest city, prompting an estimated 250,000 Palestinians to evacuate and resulting in at least seven casualties near the main hospital.
With Gaza's death toll nearing 38,000 and deteriorating living conditions exacerbating humanitarian concerns, international pressure mounts on both Israel and Hamas to reach a truce. The latest efforts build on a United Nations-backed plan outlined by United States President Joe Biden in May, yet divergent interpretations and demands have stalled negotiations.
Despite Hamas signaling readiness to engage positively with the proposal on June 11, subsequent discussions have seen limited progress, with disagreements persisting over crucial issues such as ending the conflict definitively and the terms of captive releases.
In a promising development indicating renewed diplomatic activity, Hamas reaffirmed ongoing dialogue with Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish officials aimed at achieving an agreement to halt the aggression against Palestinians.
Israeli authorities, including Netanyahu's office and the Mossad intelligence service, promptly acknowledged the communication and stated that Hamas's remarks on the framework are under evaluation, with responses to be conveyed through mediators.
Reports suggest behind-the-scenes efforts by Qatar and the United States to bridge remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing for weeks, although significant divisions within Israel persist, particularly between military and political leaders on how to proceed.
Despite previous temporary pauses, no lasting ceasefire has been maintained in Gaza since November, with the situation escalating into expanded military operations and ground incursions, despite international legal directives.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll, with civilian casualties in Gaza mounting, alongside ongoing concerns about the welfare of captives and prisoners on both sides.
